(a)
Every owner of a dog or cat four months of age or older shall have such animal vaccinated against rabies not less than annually. All dogs or cats vaccinated at four months of age or older shall be revaccinated at one year of age and annually thereafter. Any person moving into the city from a location outside of the city shall comply with this section within ten (10) days after having moved into the city. If the dog or cat has inflicted a bite on any person, or another animal, within the last ten (10) days, the owner of said dog or cat shall report such fact to a veterinarian and no rabies vaccine shall be administered until after a ten-day observation period.
(b)
Certificate of vaccination.
Upon vaccination, the veterinarian shall execute and furnish to the owner of the dog or cat, as evidence thereof, a certificate upon a form furnished by the veterinarian. The veterinarian shall retain a duplicate copy. Such certificate shall contain the following information:
(c)
Tag.
Concurrent with the issuance and delivery of the certificate of vaccination referred to in subsection (b) above, a metal certificate of vaccination with the year of vaccination, a certificate number and the name, address and phone number of the vaccinating veterinarian must be securely attached to a collar or harness that must be worn by the dog or cat at all times.
(d)
Duplicate tags.
In the event of loss or destruction of the original tag provided in subsection (c) above, the owner of the animal shall obtain a duplicate tag. The vaccination certificates (and tags) shall be valid only for the animal for which it was originally issued.
(e)
Proof.
It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or harbors a vaccinated animal to fail or refuse to exhibit his copy of the certificate of vaccination upon demand to any person charged with the enforcement of this article.
(f)
Harboring unvaccinated animals.
It shall be unlawful for any person to harbor any dog, cat, or any other animal which has not been vaccinated against rabies, as provided herein, or which cannot be identified as having a current vaccination certificate.
(g)
Animals exposed to rabies.
Any person having knowledge of the existence of any animal known to have been or reasonably believed to have been exposed to rabies must immediately report such knowledge to any peace officer or animal control officer, giving any information which may be required. For any animal known to have been or reasonably believed to have been exposed to rabies, the following is required:
(1)
Animals having current vaccination must be revaccinated immediately and confined according to the method prescribed by any peace officer or animal control officer for a period of not less than ninety (90) days.
(2)
An animal not having a current vaccination shall be humanely euthanized unless the owner of such animal elects, at his expense and in a manner prescribed by any peace officer or animal control officer, to quarantine the animal. Such animal must be vaccinated immediately following exposure and quarantined for not less than six (6) months. A revaccination shall be done one (1) month prior to release from quarantine.
(1995 Code, sec. 2.401; Ordinance adopting Code)